95 riviera wont start but tries to crank

Hey fellas, im very frusrated with this. I have a 95 buck riviera, we put a brand new engine in it and a transmission. I went to get a diagnostic test done on it, and the mechanic said it had a bad ignition switch, among the kncok sensor, rear sensor etc. So i got all of them things fixed besides the front knock sensor and even got the neutral safety switch changed because the one we got from the junkjard(crazy rays) didn't fit. So after the mechanic fixes the problem i'm wondering how did he get it to start. Oh well so i go get in inspection done on the car and the only thing came up was my brake lights and the shift indicator light was stuck in D on the console. The gear shifted fine. So we done everything that we was suppose to do that came up on the diagnostic test but I noticed that the temperature gauge was stuck at the bottom and never moved. Well over the weekend we replaced the ignition switch and i went to get the original key programmed to the dummy key cause of the security switch. So Monday, with the new key, I tried to start it up and the first two times it didnt crank, then the third, fourth and fift time it did crank, so i drove it around the block, then parked and cut it off, then it did the same thing, it would not crank at all. I'm like what the hell is going on, the mechanic said we had a bad ignition switch because it would start when it felt like it. So the i called the guy at the dealer and he said if the security light is not blinking when its in the on position then its something else, well its not blinking and the batter light don't come on, but that Temperature Gauge is stuck at the bottom and not moving. So i'm wondering could it be the that the temp guage is stuck and it think is cold, could it be the fuel pump which i doubt, could it be something electrical or do i have to reconnect the electrical system, or could it be that the shift indicator light is stuck in D and the computer thinks its not in park to drive( but if that was the case then it wouldnt crank period). I don't know what else to do, but it seems like its electrical. The only thing we didn't do yet was put on the front knock sensor. PLEEEASSSE HELP

The knock sensor would throw a code, but would not cause the car to not start.

All of the issues you are describing are probably related to the new engine and transmission install. I'm assuming you never had a problem before the work was done. This being the case, the mechanic is responsible for any issues you are having as a result of his services.

Quote :

So after the mechanic fixes the problem i'm wondering how did he get it to start.

Good question. You need to take it back and show him what's going on. He should be hunting down the problem and fixing it.

The no-start problem you are describing sound like ignition switch/VATS related issues to me. Make sure the chip on the key matches the chip on your old key exactly. There is a small tolerance for a different chip resistance, but not much.

The temp problem - make sure the sensor was swapped from your old motor, and is plugged in. It is a separate issue.

The shift indicator light sounds like your transmission selector switch is not installed correctly. It's important to the computer to have that switch in the right place.

Lets just put this out there...

The chip in the key is a resistor.

Take the key and use a digital multi meter and take a reading on the "chip". There is a lead on each side of the key.

Whatever the value is, head to Radio Shack and get fuses to make the value.

Theres two wires coming from the ignition switch. Place the resistors between them.

No more stupid "shipped" key!

Those things are a GIANT PITA... They are expensive keys with a dumb chip on them... When the switch goes out you are stuck. When the switch goes out its EXPENSIVE to replace...

So just nip the problem now.

First time our Rivi gives us this issue, Im doing this.

its my understanding that the 95 does not have a front knock sensor? it only has 1 in the rear. adjacent to the power steering pump. nor does the manual show one for the front. im confused?

Ryan from Ohio wrote:

Lets just put this out there...

The chip in the key is a resistor.

Take the key and use a digital multi meter and take a reading on the "chip". There is a lead on each side of the key.

Whatever the value is, head to Radio Shack and get fuses to make the value.

Theres two wires coming from the ignition switch. Place the resistors between them.

No more stupid "shipped" key!

Those things are a GIANT PITA... They are expensive keys with a dumb chip on them... When the switch goes out you are stuck. When the switch goes out its EXPENSIVE to replace...

So just nip the problem now.

First time our Rivi gives us this issue, Im doing this.

fuses - you meant resistors.

thanks for the advice. But overall im wondering if its the starter or should i reset the computer as well. The only thing the mechanic did was install the transmission and the rear knock sensor but like he said when he ran the diagnstic test, he said that it had a bad ignition switch, now i'm wondering could it be the ignition module or maybe the fuel pump or the battery. We changed the ignition swith sunday, and it wouldn't start the first and second tme, but the 3, 4, 5 time it started, then i drive around the neighborhood and said to myself let me cut it off and try to start it just to make sure, then BAM, the car wouldn't start but it will crank. I even tried putting it in neutral and starting it. Then i noticed the service engine soon light came on. I'm like wtf now, we did everything that came up on the test. My boy said disconnect the battery and the computer, or could be a fuel pump or something electrical.

robotennis61 wrote:

its my understanding that the 95 does not have a front knock sensor? it only has 1 in the rear. adjacent to the power steering pump. nor does the manual show one for the front. im confused?

you are correct, there is only one knock sensor on the 95s

tanks!

When I had problems with my fuel pump, it cut out on me a few times while going down the road, but I could always re-start the car until the fuel pump died completely. Then there was no re-starting the car untli I replaced the fuel pump. So I don't think thats your problem.